Temperature-stabilized storage containers

ABSTRACT

Systems described herein include integrally sealed containers. An integrally sealed container may include one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material having one or more surface regions, the one or more segments principally defining at least one storage region; and one or more regions of substantially thermally sealed connections between at least one of the one or more surface regions of the one or more segments wherein the one or more regions of substantially thermally sealed connections and the one or more segments form an integrally thermally sealed storage region.

SUMMARY

In some aspects, systems include at least one integrally thermallysealed container, including one or more segments of a first ultraefficient insulation material, the one or more segments having one ormore surface regions, the one or more segments principally defining atleast one storage region; and one or more regions of substantiallythermally sealed connections between at least one of the one or moresurface regions of the one or more segments wherein the one or moreregions of substantially thermally sealed connections and the one ormore segments form an integrally thermally sealed storage region. Inaddition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in theclaims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

In some aspects, systems include at least one integrally thermallysealed container, including one or more segments of a first ultraefficient insulation material, wherein at least one of the one or moresegments of the first ultra efficient insulation material substantiallydefine one or more substantially thermally sealed storage regions, andat least one of the one or more segments of a first ultra efficientinsulation material passes entirely around a perimeter of the one ormore substantially thermally sealed storage regions. In addition to theforegoing, other system aspects are described in the claims, drawings,and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

In some aspects, systems include at least one integrally thermallysealed container, including one or more segments of a first ultraefficient insulation material principally defining at least onesubstantially thermally sealed storage region; and at least one edgeseal, including one or more segments of a second ultra efficientinsulation material in proximity to at least one edge of the one or moresegments of the first ultra efficient insulation material, andsubstantially thermally sealed connections between the one or moresegments of first ultra efficient insulation material and the one ormore segments of second ultra efficient insulation material. In additionto the foregoing, other system aspects are described in the claims,drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be inany way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments,and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and featureswill become apparent by reference to the drawings and the followingdetailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A is a schematic of some aspects of an integrally thermally sealedcontainer.

FIG. 1B is a schematic of some aspects of an integrally thermally sealedcontainer.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of some aspects of an integrally thermally sealedcontainer.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of some aspects of an integrally thermally sealedcontainer.

FIG. 4 is a schematic of some aspects of an integrally thermally sealedcontainer such as the one shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic of some aspects of an integrally thermally sealedcontainer.

FIG. 6 is a schematic of some aspects of an ultra efficient insulationmaterial.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings,similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless contextdictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in thedetailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting.Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made,without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matterpresented here.

In some aspects, systems include at least one integrally thermallysealed container, including one or more segments of a first ultraefficient insulation material, the one or more segments having one ormore surface regions, the one or more segments principally defining atleast one storage region; and one or more regions of substantiallythermally sealed connections between at least one of the one or moresurface regions of the one or more segments wherein the one or moreregions of substantially thermally sealed connections and the one ormore segments form an integrally thermally sealed storage region. Anintegrally thermally sealed container, such as the ones depicted inFIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, includes ultra efficient insulation materialprincipally defining at least one substantially thermally sealed storageregion. An integrally thermally sealed container, such as the onesdepicted in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, includes at least one substantiallythermally sealed storage region with extremely low heat conductance andextremely low heat radiation transfer between the outside environment ofthe container and the area internal to the at least one substantiallythermally sealed storage region. An integrally sealed container may havevirtually zero heat conductance and virtually zero heat radiationtransfer between the outside environment of the container and the insideof the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region. Asused herein, “integrally sealed” refers to containers that areconstituently sealed, for example a container that must be broken opento access the contents of the least one substantially thermally sealedstorage region. In some embodiments, an integrally sealed container maybe refurbished or repaired and reused, while in other embodiments anintegrally sealed container may be designed for single-use and bedisposable.

With reference now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, shown is an example of anintegrally thermally sealed container that may serve as a context forintroducing one or more processes or devices described herein. FIGS. 1Aand 1B depict an integrally sealed container including one or moresegments of a first ultra efficient insulation material 100 principallydefining at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region 110.FIG. 1A depicts a cross section view of an integrally thermally sealedcontainer illustrating ultra efficient insulation material 100 wrappedin a circular or ball-like shape to principally define a substantiallythermally sealed storage region 110. FIG. 1B illustrates an externalview of the integrally thermally sealed container shown in FIG. 1A, witha cut-away section depicting the interior of the container. Although theintegrally thermally sealed container depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B is ina circular or ball-like shape, in some embodiments the container may bein an oblong, egg-like or other shape. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, thecontainer may contain one or more heat sink units 120, or it may containno heat sink units. The integrally thermally sealed container, in someembodiments, may include no active cooling units. Although theintegrally thermally sealed container depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1Bcontains one storage region 110, in some embodiments a container mayinclude multiple storage regions, which may be of similar or differentsize and shape to each other. In some embodiments, there may be aplurality of storage regions within the container.

The term “ultra efficient insulation material,” as used herein, mayinclude one or more type of insulation material with extremely low heatconductance and extremely low heat radiation transfer between thesurfaces of the insulation material. The ultra efficient insulationmaterial may include, for example, one or more layers of thermallyreflective film, high vacuum, aerogel, low thermal conductivitybead-like units, disordered layered crystals, low density solids, or lowdensity foam. In some embodiments, the ultra efficient insulationmaterial includes one or more low density solids such as aerogels, suchas those described in, for example: Fricke and Emmerling,Aerogels—preparation, properties, applications, Structure and Bonding77: 37-87 (1992); and Pekala, Organic aerogels from the polycondensationof resorcinol with formaldehyde, Journal of Materials Science 24:3221-3227 (1989); each of which are herein incorporated by reference. Asused herein, “low density” may include materials with density from about0.01 g/cm³ to about 0.10 g/cm³, and materials with density from about0.005 g/cm³ to about 0.05 g/cm³. In some embodiments, the ultraefficient insulation material includes one or more layers of disorderedlayered crystals, such as those described in, for example: Chiritescu etal., Ultralow thermal conductivity in disordered, layered WSe₂ crystals,Science 315: 351-353 (2007), which is herein incorporated by reference.In some embodiments, the ultra efficient insulation material includes atleast two layers of thermal reflective film separated, for example, byat least one of: high vacuum, low thermal conductivity spacer units, lowthermal conductivity bead like units, or low density foam. For example,the ultra-efficient insulation material may include at least onemultiple layer insulating composite such as described in U.S. Pat. No.6,485,805 to Smith et al., titled “Multilayer insulation composite,”which is herein incorporated by reference. For example, theultra-efficient insulation material may include at least one metallicsheet insulation system, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No.5,915,283 to Reed et al., titled “Metallic sheet insulation system,”which is herein incorporated by reference. For example, theultra-efficient insulation material may include at least one thermalinsulation system, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,967,051 toAugustynowicz et al., titled “Thermal insulation systems,” which isherein incorporated by reference. For example, the ultra-efficientinsulation material may include at least one rigid multilayer materialfor thermal insulation, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No.7,001,656 to Maignan et al., titled “Rigid multilayer material forthermal insulation,” which is herein incorporated by reference.

In reference now to FIG. 6, in some embodiments, the ultra efficientinsulation material may include at least one multilayer insulationmaterial. For example, the ultra efficient insulation material mayinclude multilayer insulation material such as that used in spaceprogram launch vehicles, including by NASA. See, e.g., Daryabeigi,Thermal analysis and design optimization of multilayer insulation forreentry aerodynamic heating, Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets 39:509-514 (2002), which is herein incorporated by reference. Asillustrated in FIG. 6, in some embodiments, the ultra efficientinsulation material may include at least two layers of thermalreflective film 620, 630 separated by low thermal conductivity spacerunits 640. The low thermal conductivity spacer units may include, forexample, low thermal conductivity bead-like structures, aerogelparticles, folds or inserts of thermal reflective film. Although twolayers of thermal reflective film are shown in FIG. 6, in someembodiments there may be one layer of thermal reflective film or morethan two layers of thermal reflective film. Similarly, there may bevariable numbers of low thermal conductivity spacer units 640. In someembodiments there may be one or more additional layers within or inaddition to the ultra efficient insulation material, such as, forexample, an outer structural layer 600 or an inner structural layer 610.An inner or an outer structural layer may be made of any materialappropriate to the embodiment, for example an inner or an outerstructural layer may include: plastic, metal, alloy, composite, orglass. In some embodiments, there may be one or more layers of highvacuum between layers of thermal reflective film.

The term “heat sink unit,” as used herein, includes one or more unitsthat absorb thermal energy, such as that described, for example, in U.S.Pat. No. 5,390,734 to Voorhes et al., titled “Heat Sink,” U.S. Pat. No.4,057,101 to Ruka et al., titled “Heat Sink,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,003,426 toBest et al., titled “Heat or Thermal Energy Storage Structure,” and U.S.Pat. No. 4,976,308 to Faghri titled “Thermal Energy Storage HeatExchanger,” which are each incorporated herein by reference. Heat sinkunits may include, for example: units containing frozen water or othertypes of ice; units including frozen material that is generally gaseousat ambient temperature and pressure, such as frozen carbon dioxide(CO₂); units including liquid material that is generally gaseous atambient temperature and pressure, such as liquid nitrogen; unitsincluding artificial gels or composites with heat sink properties; unitsincluding phase change materials; and units including refrigerants, suchas that described, for example, in: U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,241 to Kitaharaet al., titled “Refrigerant,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,403 to Bivens et al.,titled “Halocarbon Blends for Refrigerant Use,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,428,854to Enjo et al., titled “Absorption Refrigerant Compositions for Use inAbsorption Refrigeration Systems,” and U.S. Pat. No. 4,482,465 to Gray,titled “Hydrocarbon-Halocarbon Refrigerant Blends,” which are eachherein incorporated by reference.

The term “active cooling unit,” as used herein, includes conductive andradiative cooling mechanisms that require electricity from an externalsource to operate. For example, active cooling units may include one ormore of: actively powered fans, actively pumped refrigerant systems,thermoelectric systems, active heat pump systems, activevapor-compression refrigeration systems and active heat exchangersystems. The external energy required to operate such mechanisms mayoriginate, for example, from municipal electrical power supplies orelectric batteries.

As depicted in FIG. 2, in some embodiments an integrally thermallysealed container may include one or more regions of substantiallythermally sealed connections 210, 220 between at least one of the one ormore surface regions of the one or more segments of first ultraefficient insulation material 200 and the one or more segments of secondultra efficient insulation material 230 wherein the one or more regionsof substantially thermally sealed connections 210, 220 and the one ormore segments 200, 230 form at least one integrally thermally sealedstorage region 240. The one or more regions of substantially thermallysealed connections 210, 220 may include multiple components, such as oneor more structural sections 210 and one or more sealing connectionsections 220. In some embodiments, either or both of the one or morestructural sections 210 and one or more sealing connection sections 220may include ultra efficient insulation material. Although the containerdepicted in FIG. 2 is illustrated in cross-section, it will be apparentthat the one or more structural sections 210 and one or more sealingconnection sections 220 form substantially thermally sealed connectionsaround the circumference of the container or as needed in a specificembodiment to create substantially thermally sealed connections betweenat least one of the one or more surface regions of the one or moresegments of first ultra efficient insulation material 200 and the one ormore segments of second ultra efficient insulation material 230.Although the one or more regions of substantially thermally sealedconnections depicted in FIG. 2 include multiple components, in someembodiments the one or more regions of substantially thermally sealedconnections would include crimps, twists, welds or other structure toform one or more regions of substantially thermally sealed connectionsbetween one or more surface regions of the one or more segments of firstultra efficient insulation material 200 and the one or more segments ofsecond ultra efficient insulation material 230.

With reference now to FIG. 3, in some embodiments an integrallythermally sealed container may include one or more regions ofsubstantially thermally sealed connections 350, 380, between the atleast one of the one or more surface regions of the one or more segmentsof first ultra efficient insulation material 300 and the one or moresegments of second ultra efficient insulation material 370 wherein theone or more regions of substantially thermally sealed connections 350,380 and the one or more segments 300, 370 form at least one integrallythermally sealed storage region 320, 330, 340. The substantiallythermally sealed connections may provide extremely low heat conductanceand extremely low heat radiation transfer between integrally thermallysealed storage regions. The substantially thermally sealed connectionsmay provide virtually zero heat conductance and virtually zero heatradiation transfer between substantially thermally sealed storageregions. In some embodiments, the substantially thermally sealedconnections will allow less heat leak than the entire remainder of thecontainer. In some embodiments, the substantially thermally sealedconnections may double the heat seal relative to the remainder of thestructure. For example, the heat leak through the substantiallythermally sealed connections may be a factor of about 0.5 to a factor ofabout 2.0 relative to the heat leak through the remainder of thecontainer. For example, the heat leak through the substantiallythermally sealed connections may be a factor of about 0.1 to a factor ofabout 0.5 relative to the heat leak through the remainder of thecontainer. The substantially thermally sealed connections may includeany material or structure appropriate to the embodiment, for example:glues; adhesives; fasteners; welds; at least one layer of an ultraefficient insulation material; or at least one layer of asuperinsulation material. In some embodiments, one or more regions ofsubstantially thermally sealed connections may include physicalstructure to encourage at least one connection between the one or moresegments of first ultra efficient insulation material and the one ormore segments of second ultra insulator material, for example ridges,notches, strips, tongues, ribs, grooves or indentations on the surfaceregions of one or more segments of first ultra efficient insulationmaterial which mate with ridges, notches, strips, tongues, ribs, groovesor indentations on the surface regions of one or more segments of secondultra insulator material to form at least one connection. In someembodiments, there are a plurality of storage regions 320, 330, 340within the container. Although the plurality of storage regions 320,330, 340 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are of similar size and shape, there maybe a plurality of storage regions in varying sizes and shapes, dependingon the embodiment.

In some embodiments, the first ultra efficient insulation materialincludes at least one material described above and at least onesuperinsulation material. As used herein, a “superinsulation material”may include structures wherein at least two floating thermal radiationshields exist in an evacuated double-wall annulus, closely spaced butthermally separated by at least one poor-conducting fiber-like material.

In some embodiments, the first ultra efficient insulation materialincludes at least two layers of thermal reflective material separatedfrom each other by magnetic suspension. The layers of thermal reflectivematerial may be separated, for example, by magnetic suspension methodsincluding magnetic induction suspension or ferromagnetic suspension. Formore information regarding magnetic suspension systems, see Thompson,Eddy current magnetic levitation models and experiments, IEEEPotentials, February/March 2000, 40-44, and Post, Maglev: a newapproach, Scientific American, January 2000, 82-87, which are eachincorporated herein by reference. Ferromagnetic suspension may include,for example, the use of magnets with a Halbach field distribution. Formore information regarding Halbach machine topologies and relatedapplications suitable for use in an embodiment described herein, see Zhuand Howe, Halbach permanent magnet machines and applications: a review,IEE Proc.-Electr. Power Appl. 148: 299-308 (2001), which is hereinincorporated by reference.

Some embodiments include nontoxic lining within one or more of the atleast one storage region. For example, FIG. 3 depicts nontoxic lining390 within storage region 330. Nontoxic lining may include, for example,lining that does not itself react with, or produce residue that may betoxic to, the contents of the at least one substantially thermallysealed storage region, or lining that does not produce residue, orotherwise impart properties to the contents that may be toxic to, thefuture users of contents of the at least one substantially thermallysealed storage region. Nontoxic lining may include lining that maintainsthe chemical structure of the contents of the at least one substantiallythermally sealed storage region, for example nontoxic lining may includechemically inert or non-reactive materials. Nontoxic lining may includelining that has been developed for use in, for example, medical,pharmaceutical or food storage applications. Nontoxic lining may includelining that may be cleaned or sterilized, for example lining that may beirradiated, autoclaved, or disinfected. Nontoxic lining may includelining that contains one or more antibacterial, antiviral,antimicrobial, or antipathogen agents. For example, nontoxic lining mayinclude aldehydes, hypochlorites, oxidizing agents, phenolics,quaternary ammonium compounds, or silver. Nontoxic lining may includematerial that is structurally stable in the presence of one or morecleaning or sterilizing compounds or radiation, such as plastic thatretains its structural integrity after irradiation, or metal that doesnot oxidize in the presence of one or more cleaning or sterilizingcompounds. Nontoxic lining may include lining that consists of multiplelayers, with layers removable for cleaning or sterilization, such as forreuse of the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region.Nontoxic lining may include, for example, lining including metals,fabrics, papers or plastics.

Some embodiments include at least one marking indicating a region wherean integrally thermally sealed container may be broken open to releasestored material within one or more of the at least one substantiallythermally sealed storage region. The at least one marking 360 mayinclude superficial markings on the exterior of the container, such asthose indicated with superficial colorations on the exterior of thecontainer, for example, markings painted or stamped on the exterior ofthe container. The at least one marking 360 may include markings thatinclude the interior of the container, including markings that may alterthe structure of the container such as scratches or perforations. The atleast one marking 360 may include superficial markings on the exteriorof the container that indicate one or more locations on the containerwhich are amenable to pressure or force due to structural aspects of theinterior of the container which are not visible from the exterior of thecontainer, for example superficial markings that indicate regions wherea container may be pushed, twisted, punctured or cut in alignment withinterior structures to break open the container to release storedmaterial from one or more of the at least one substantially thermallysealed storage region.

An integrally thermally sealed container may include at least onetemperature indicator. With reference now to FIG. 4, an integrallythermally sealed container may include at least one temperatureindicator 430, 440, 450. For example, at least one temperature indicator440 may be located within one or more of the at least one substantiallythermally sealed storage region, at least one temperature indicator 430may be located exterior to the container, or at least one temperatureindicator 450 may be located within the structure of the container. Insome embodiments, multiple temperature indicators may be located inmultiple positions. Temperature indicators may include temperatureindicating labels, which may be reversible or irreversible. Temperatureindicators suitable for some embodiments may include, for example, theEnvironmental Indicators sold by ShockWatch Company, with headquartersin Dallas Tex., the Temperature Indicators sold by Cole-Palmer Companyof Vernon Hills Ill. and the Time Temperature Indicators sold by 3MCompany, with corporate headquarters in St. Paul Minn., the brochuresfor which are each hereby incorporated by reference. Temperatureindicators suitable for some embodiments may include time-temperatureindicators, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,709,472 and6,042,264 to Prusik et al., titled “Time-temperature indicator deviceand method of manufacture” and U.S. Pat. No. 4,057,029 to Seiter, titled“Time-temperature indicator,” each of which is herein incorporated byreference. Temperature indicators may include, for example,chemically-based indicators, temperature gauges, thermometers,bimetallic strips, or thermocouples.

In some embodiments, an integrally thermally sealed container mayinclude one or more sensors. With reference now to FIG. 4, an integrallythermally sealed container may include sensors 400, 410, 420. At leastone sensor 410 may be located within one or more of the at least onesubstantially thermally sealed storage region, at least one sensor 400may be located exterior to the container, or at least one sensor 420 maybe located within the structure of the container. In some embodiments,multiple sensors may be located in multiple positions. In someembodiments, the one or more sensors includes at least one sensor of agaseous pressure within one or more of the at least one storage region,sensor of a mass within one or more of the at least one storage region,sensor of a stored volume within one or more of the at least one storageregion, sensor of a temperature within one or more of the at least onestorage region, or sensor of an identity of an item within one or moreof the at least one storage region. In some embodiments, at least onesensor may include a temperature sensor, such as, for example, chemicalsensors, thermometers, bimetallic strips, or thermocouples. Anintegrally thermally sealed container may include one or more sensorssuch as a physical sensor component such as described in U.S. Pat. No.6,453,749 to Petrovic et al., titled “Physical sensor component,” whichis herein incorporated by reference. An integrally thermally sealedcontainer may include one or more sensors such as a pressure sensor suchas described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,900,554 to Baba et al., titled “Pressuresensor,” which is herein incorporated by reference. An integrallythermally sealed container may include one or more sensors such as avertically integrated sensor structure such as described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,600,071 to Sooriakumar et al., titled “Vertically integratedsensor structure and method,” which is herein incorporated by reference.An integrally thermally sealed container may include one or more sensorssuch as a system for determining a quantity of liquid or fluid within acontainer, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,559 to Kuehl et al.,titled “System and method for measuring liquid mass quantity,” U.S. Pat.No. 6,050,598 to Upton, titled “Apparatus for and method of monitoringthe mass quantity and density of a fluid in a closed container, and avehicular air bag system incorporating such apparatus,” and U.S. Pat.No. 5,245,869 to Clarke et al., titled “High accuracy mass sensor formonitoring fluid quantity in storage tanks,” each of which is hereinincorporated by reference. An integrally thermally sealed container mayinclude one or more sensors of radio frequency identification (“RFID”)tags to identify material within the at least one substantiallythermally sealed storage region. RFID tags are well known in the art,for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,444,223 to Blama, titled “Radio frequencyidentification tag and method,” which is herein incorporated byreference.

In some embodiments, an integrally thermally sealed container mayinclude one or more communications devices. The one or morecommunications devices, may include, for example, one or more recordingdevices, one or more transmission devices, one or more display devices,or one or more receivers. Communications devices may include, forexample, communication devices that allow a user to detect informationabout the container visually, auditorily, or via signal to a remotedevice. Some embodiments may include more than one type ofcommunications device, and in some embodiments the devices may beoperably linked. For example, some embodiments may contain both areceiver and an operably linked transmission device, so that a signalmay be received by the receiver which then causes a transmission to bemade from the transmission device. Some embodiments may include morethan one type of communications device that are not operably linked. Forexample, some embodiments may include a transmission device and adisplay device, wherein the transmission device is not linked to thedisplay device. Some embodiments may include communications devices onthe exterior of the container, including devices attached to theexterior of the container, devices adjacent to the exterior of thecontainer, or devices located at a distance from the exterior of thecontainer. Some embodiments may include communications devices locatedwithin the structure of the container. Some embodiments may includecommunications devices located within at least one of the one or moresubstantially thermally sealed storage regions.

With reference to FIG. 5, in some embodiments an integrally thermallysealed container may include one or more recording devices 525, 530,535. The one or more recording devices may include devices that aremagnetic, electronic, chemical, or transcription based recordingdevices. One or more recording device 535 may be located within one ormore of the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region,one or more recording device 525 may be located exterior to thecontainer, or one or more recording device 530 may be located within thestructure of the container. The one or more recording device may record,for example, the temperature from one or more temperature sensor, theresult from one or more temperature indicator, or the gaseous pressure,mass, volume or identity of an item information from at least one sensorwithin the at least one storage region. In some embodiments, the one ormore recording devices may be integrated with one or more sensor. Forexample, in some embodiments there may be one or more temperaturesensors which record the highest, lowest or average temperaturedetected. For example, in some embodiments, there may be one or moremass sensors which record one or more mass changes within the containerover time. For example, in some embodiments, there may be one or moregaseous pressure sensors which record one or more gaseous pressurechanges within the container over time.

With reference to FIG. 5, in some embodiments an integrally thermallysealed container may include one or more transmission device 550, 555,560. One or more transmission device 550 may be located within at leastone substantially thermally sealed storage region, one or moretransmission device 560 may be located exterior to the container, or oneor more transmission device 555 may be located within the structure ofthe container. The one or more transmission device may transmit anysignal or information, for example, the temperature from one or moretemperature sensor, or the gaseous pressure, mass, volume or identity ofan item or information from at least one sensor within the at least onestorage region. In some embodiments, the one or more transmission devicemay be integrated with one or more sensor, or one or more recordingdevice. The one or more transmission devices may transmit by any meansknown in the art, for example, but not limited to, via radio frequency(e.g. RFID tags), magnetic field, electromagnetic radiation,electromagnetic waves, sonic waves, or radioactivity.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, in some embodiments an integrallythermally sealed container may include one or more display devices. Insome embodiments, the one or more display devices 460, 540 may belocated within one or more of the at least one substantially thermallysealed storage region. In some embodiments, the one or more displaydevices 470, 545 may be located on the exterior of the container. Insome embodiments, one or more display devices may be integrated with oneor more sensor. For example, in some embodiments one or more displaydevices may show temperature information. In some embodiments, one ormore display devices may be integrated with one or more recordingdevices. For example, a recording device may include a visual printing,such as a graph, which is visualized with a display device, such as awindow-like covering. For example, a recording device may include adigital display which indicates some aspects of the information beingrecorded in real-time or over a time interval. In some embodiments, theone or more display devices 480, 575 may be located at a distance fromthe container. For example, one or more display devices located at adistance from the container 480, 575 may display data transmitted fromone or more transmission device. Display devices located at a distancemay include, for example, electronic displays or computer displays. Insome embodiments, data from one or more transmission device may bestored in an analog or digital medium for later display to a user. Forexample, data transmitted from one or more transmission device may bestored on a remote computer system for display at a later time asrequested by a system or a user.

In some embodiments, an integrally thermally sealed container mayinclude one or more receivers. For example, one or more receivers mayinclude devices that detect sonic waves, electromagnetic waves, radiosignals, electrical signals, magnetic pulses, or radioactivity.Depending on the embodiment, one or more receiver may be located withinone or more of the at least one substantially thermally sealed storageregion. In some embodiments, one or more receivers may be located withinthe structure of the container. In some embodiments, the one or morereceivers may be located on the exterior of the container. In someembodiments, the one or more receiver may be operably coupled to anotherdevice, such as for example one or more display devices, recordingdevices or transmission devices. For example, a receiver may be operablycoupled to a display device on the exterior of the container so thatwhen an appropriate signal is received, the display device indicatesdata, such as time or temperature data. For example, a receiver may beoperable coupled to a transmission device so that when an appropriatesignal is received, the transmission device transmits data, such aslocation, time, or positional data.

With reference now to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 5, in some embodiments anintegrally thermally sealed container may include one or more segmentsof a first ultra efficient insulation material, wherein at least one ofthe one or more segments of the first ultra efficient insulationmaterial substantially define one or more substantially thermally sealedstorage regions, and at least one of the one or more segments of a firstultra efficient insulation material passes entirely around a perimeterof the one or more substantially thermally sealed storage regions. Insome embodiments, there may be one or more regions of substantiallythermally sealed connections (such as depicted as 505) between at leasttwo areas of the one or more segments of the first ultra efficientinsulation material. Some embodiments may include wherein the one ormore segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material passesentirely around a circumference of the one or more substantiallythermally sealed storage regions at least twice. As illustrated in FIGS.1 and 5, an integrally thermally sealed container may include no activecooling units. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, an integrally thermallysealed container may include one or more heat sink units 120, 580. Insome embodiments, an integrally thermally sealed container may includeno heat sink units. In some embodiments, the first ultra efficientinsulation material may include at least one superinsulation material.In some embodiments, the first ultra efficient insulation material mayinclude at least two layers of thermal reflective material separatedfrom each other by magnetic suspension. In some embodiments, anintegrally thermally sealed container may include nontoxic lining 570within one or more of the at least one substantially thermally sealedstorage region. In some embodiments, an integrally thermally sealedcontainer may include at least one marking 565 indicating a region wherethe container may be broken open to release stored material within oneor more of the at least one substantially thermally sealed storageregion. In some embodiments, an integrally thermally sealed containermay include at least one temperature indicator. In some embodiments, anintegrally thermally sealed container may include one or more sensors,wherein the one or more sensors includes at least one sensor of gaseouspressure within one or more of the at least one storage region, sensorof a mass within one or more of the at least one storage region, sensorof a stored volume within one or more of the at least one storageregion, or sensor of an identity of an item within one or more of the atleast one storage region. In some embodiments, an integrally thermallysealed container may include one or more recording devices 525, 530,535. In some embodiments, an integrally thermally sealed container mayinclude one or more transmission devices 550, 555, 560. In someembodiments, an integrally thermally sealed container may include one ormore display devices 540, 545, 575.

In some embodiments, an integrally thermally sealed container mayinclude one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulationmaterial principally defining at least one substantially thermallysealed storage regions, and at least one edge seal, including one ormore segments of a second ultra efficient insulation material inproximity to at least one edge of the one or more segments of the firstultra efficient insulation material, and substantially thermally sealedconnections between the one or more segments of the first ultraefficient insulation material and the one or more segments of the secondultra efficient insulation material. With reference now to FIGS. 3 and4, an integrally thermally sealed container may include one or moresegments of a first ultra efficient insulation material 300, 370principally defining at least one substantially thermally sealed storageregion, and at least one edge seal 310, wherein the edge seal includesone or more segments of a second ultra efficient insulation material inproximity to at least one edge of the one or more segments of the firstultra efficient insulation material, and substantially thermally sealedconnections 350 between the one or more segments of first ultraefficient insulation material and the one or more segments of secondultra efficient insulation material. In some embodiments, the firstultra efficient insulation material is substantially the same as thesecond ultra efficient insulation material. In some embodiments, thefirst ultra efficient insulation material includes at least onesuperinsulation material. In some embodiments, the first ultra efficientinsulation material includes at least two layers of thermal reflectivematerial separated from each other by magnetic suspension. In someembodiments, the integrally thermally sealed container includes noactive cooling units. In some embodiments, the integrally thermallysealed container includes no heat sink units. In some embodiments, theone or more regions of substantially thermally sealed connectionsprincipally define at least one substantially thermally sealed storageregion 320, 330, 340. In some embodiments, there are a plurality ofstorage regions within the container. Some embodiments may includenontoxic lining (e.g. 390) within one or more of the at least onesubstantially thermally sealed storage region. Some embodiments mayinclude at least one marking 360 indicating a region where the containermay be broken open, punctured or cracked to release stored materialwithin one or more of the at least one substantially thermally sealedstorage region. Some embodiments may include at least one temperatureindicator 430, 440, 450. Some embodiments may include one or moresensors 400, 410, 420. In some embodiments, the one or more sensors(e.g. 400, 410, 420) include at least one sensor of gaseous pressurewithin one or more of the at least one substantially thermally sealedstorage region, sensor of a mass within one or more of the at least onesubstantially thermally sealed storage region, sensor of a stored volumewithin one or more of the at least one substantially thermally sealedstorage region, or sensor of an identity of an item within one or moreof the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region. Insome embodiments, the integrally thermally sealed container includes oneor more recording devices. In some embodiments, the integrally thermallysealed container includes one or more transmission devices. In someembodiments, the integrally thermally sealed container includes one ormore display devices 460, 470, 480.

One skilled in the art will recognize that the herein describedcomponents (e.g., steps), devices, and objects and the discussionaccompanying them are used as examples for the sake of conceptualclarity and that various configuration modifications are within theskill of those in the art. Consequently, as used herein, the specificexemplars set forth and the accompanying discussion are intended to berepresentative of their more general classes. In general, use of anyspecific example herein is also intended to be representative of itsclass, and the non-inclusion of such specific components (e.g., steps),devices, and objects herein should not be taken as indicating thatlimitation is desired.

Each of the above U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications,U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applicationsand non-patent publications referred to in this specification or listedin any Application Data Sheet, is incorporated herein by reference, tothe extent not inconsistent herewith.

In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in theclaims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural or singular termsherein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural tothe singular or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to thecontext or application. The various singular/plural permutations are notexpressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

While particular aspects of the present subject matter described hereinhave been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modificationsmay be made without departing from the subject matter described hereinand its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are toencompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as arewithin the true spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein.Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by theappended claims. It will be understood by those within the art that, ingeneral, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g.,bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms(e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but notlimited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having atleast,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but isnot limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those withinthe art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation isintended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and inthe absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example,as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may containusage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” tointroduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should notbe construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by theindefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containingsuch introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “atleast one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use ofdefinite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, evenif a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitlyrecited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitationshould typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number(e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without othermodifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or morerecitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a conventionanalogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in generalsuch a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the artwould understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one ofA, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have Aalone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where aconvention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, ingeneral such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill inthe art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at leastone of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that haveA alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understoodby those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word or phrasepresenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description,claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate thepossibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, orboth terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood toinclude the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

EXAMPLES

An integrally thermally sealed container may be used to maintain a fooditem or items below the freeze point (generally 0° C./32° F.). Forexample, an integrally thermally sealed container may be used toincrease the shelf-life, for example, of a fresh food item or items. Inthis instance, a fresh food item might include meat, fish, vegetables,fruits, bread, or dairy. The recommended shelf-life of frozen fresh fooditems may range from 3 months to 1 year (see, e.g., Cornell UniversityCooperative Extension, Foodkeeper Guide Fact Sheet, which is hereinincorporated by reference). Alternatively, an integrally thermallysealed container may be used to maintain the temperature of frozendessert items such as, for example, ice cream, frozen yogurt, ice creambar, etc. As such, the integrally thermally sealed container may hold asingle serving of the food item. Alternatively, the integrally thermallysealed container may be large enough to hold multiple servings, whichmay be used in a single sitting. Optionally, the integrally thermallysealed container may hold more than one type of frozen food item suchas, for example, a meat and a vegetable serving or servings. Theintegrally thermally sealed container may contain one or more sensors,temperature indicators, communication devices or recording devices toindicate the quality or integrity of the food during the course ofstorage, the length of storage, or activity relative to the containerduring storage.

An integrally thermally sealed container may be used to maintain aliquid or beverage below the freeze point (generally 0° C./32° F.). Forexample, an integrally thermally sealed container may be used tomaintain water, for example, in a frozen state. As such, a block orblocks of frozen liquid such as water ice obtained from an integrallythermally sealed container may be used, for example, in an emergencysetting to keep food or medicines cold in a refrigerator, ice chest, orother insulated container. Optionally, a block or blocks of frozenliquid such as water ice obtained from an integrally thermally sealedcontainer may be used in a setting where power for refrigeration is notavailable or is limited, such as, for example, a field station, amilitary outpost, a refuge camp, a forest service outpost, a climbing orother expedition, or for recreational outings.

An integrally thermally sealed container may be used to maintain a fooditem or items at a specific temperature, such as that maintained bystandard refrigeration, generally in the range 37-40° F. (3-4.5° C.). Anintegrally sealed container may keep foods in an appropriate temperaturerange, neither excessively warm or cool, during storage or transport.For example, an integrally thermally sealed contained may be used tomaintain fresh, non-pasteurized caviar, for example, for 4 weeks in therange of 37-40° F. (see, e.g., Cornell University Cooperative Extension,Foodkeeper Guide Fact Sheet, which is herein incorporated by reference).Similarly, an integrally thermally sealed container may be used tomaintain hard cheeses for 6 or more months in the range of 37-40° F.,for example.

An integrally thermally sealed container may be used to maintain aliquid or beverage within a specific temperature range during storage ortransport. A liquid or beverage might be water or flavored water, dairyproduct or fruit juice, carbonated soda, wine, beer or distilledspirits, for example. A specific temperature may be that at which theliquid or beverage is best stored, for example, for long term aging. Forexample, an integrally thermally sealed container may be used to storewine at an optimal storage temperature range, generally 50 to 55° F.(10-12° C.). Similarly, an integrally thermally sealed container may beused to store beer at a storage temperature range, generally 45-65° F.Alternatively, a specific temperature may be that at which a liquid orbeverage is preferably served. For example, an integrally thermallysealed container may store a beverage in a temperature range of 37-40°F. (3-4.5° C.), comparable to a standard electric refrigerator.Alternatively, an integrally thermally sealed container may store abeverage such as beer, for example, at a temperature appropriate forserving depending upon the type of beer, ranging for example from 37 to53° F. (3-12° C.). The beverage may be directly packaged into theintegrally thermally sealed container. Alternatively, the beverage maybe packaged separately into a can, carton, or bottle, for example, andthan further packaged in the integrally thermally sealed container. Theintegrally thermally sealed container may contain a single or multipleservings of the liquid or beverage, which may be used in a singlesitting.

An integrally thermally sealed container may be used to keep fluidsintended for intravenous administration at or slightly above bodytemperature. In a medical or surgical setting, for example, anintegrally thermally sealed container may be used to hold artificialplasma or other blood product at appropriate temperature for immediateuse. For example, plasma substitutes such as hydroxylethyl starch (HES)are often administered rapidly to patients with hypovolemia and forhemodilutional autotransfusion (HAT) during surgery and anesthesia(Yamakage et al. Safety and beneficial effect on body core temperatureof prewarmed plasma substitute hydroxyethyl starch during anesthesia,Anesthesiology (2004) 101:A1285, which is herein incorporated byreference). Addition of these agents at room temperature may result in adrop in the patient's core temperature. HES has been shown to be stableat 40° C. for at least 3 months. As such, a blood product or plasmasubstitute such as HES, for example, may be stored at 40° C., forexample, in an integrally thermally sealed container until needed in amedical or surgical setting.

Alternatively, an integrally thermally sealed container may be used tomaintain an intravenous solution at or slightly above body temperature(generally 98.6° F./37° C.). For example, an integrally thermally sealedcontainer may contain a solution of dextrose or saline for use, forexample, in treating dehydration associated with hypothermia. As thecore temperature of a hypothermic individual is already below normal,addition of intravenous fluids should optimally be performed at normalbody temperature to prevent further cooling (Department of Health &Social Services, State of Alaska, Cold Injuries Guidelines Revisedversion 2005, which is herein incorporated by reference). As such, anintegrally thermally sealed container containing a prewarmed rehydrationsolution may be used, for example, by first responders in the field suchas a paramedic, an emergency medical technician, search and rescue,coast guard, or military personnel.

An integrally thermally sealed container may also be used to maintain anobject at a specific temperature. For example, an integrally thermallysealed container may be used to keep a blanket prewarmed, for example,for use in an emergency or medical setting. A hospital setting mightinclude using a prewarmed blanket from an integrally thermally sealedcontainer to prevent hypothermia at birth in preterm and/or low birthweight babies (Cohen et al. Thermal efficiency of prewarmed cotton,reflective, and forced-warm-air. Int. J. Trauma. Nurs. (2002) 8:4-8,which is herein incorporated by reference). A prewarmed blanket may beused in an emergency situation to treat an individual exhibiting signsof shock or hypothermia. In the instance where the individual isconscious, the warm blanket may be used to completely wrap the body. Inthe instance where the individual is unconscious and the peripheralvasculature has become constricted and acidic, the warm blanket or partsof the warm blanket may be used to warm the torso, groin, neck, armpitsand/or head and as such prevent further loss of core body temperature(Department of Health & Social Services, State of Alaska, Cold InjuriesGuidelines Revised version 2005, which is herein incorporated byreference). It is anticipated that an integrally thermally sealedcontainer may be used to hold other items for warming a body orextremities such as for example towels, hat, gloves, socks, pants,shirt, or a combination thereof.

An integrally thermally sealed container under pressure may be used tomaintain humidified air or oxygen in the range 43-45° C. (107-122° F.),for example. In a hypothermic individual, loss of heat duringrespiration may account for 10% to 30% of the body's heat loss,particularly under conditions in which the ambient air temperature iscold. As such, inhalation of warm, water-saturated air is a non-invasivetreatment suitable for active core rewarming in the field and donatesheat directly to the head, neck, and thoracic core, warming thehypothalamus, the temperature regulation center, the respiratory center,and the cardiac center at the base of the brainstem. (Department ofHealth & Social Services, State of Alaska, Cold Injuries GuidelinesRevised version 2005, which is herein incorporated by reference). Inmany cases, this rewarming of the central nervous system at thebrainstem reverses the cold-induced depression of the respiratorycenters and improves the level of consciousness. Alternatively, anintegrally thermally sealed container may contain water ranging intemperature, for example, from 99 to 212° F. (37-100° C.) that may beused in conjunction with a face mask to provide prewarmed, humidifiedair to a hypothermic individual. For example, inhaled ambient air may bepassed over steaming, prewarmed water prior to entering an individual'slungs.

An integrally thermally sealed container may be used to maintain water,for example, at a temperature appropriate for bathing or cleaningdishes, clothes, or equipment in the field. For example, an integrallythermally sealed container may contain water at a temperature range of80 to 100° F. for a “field shower” for use by military, forest service,or first responders, for example, in an emergency following exposure toa hazardous chemical or agent. For example, an integrally thermallysealed container may contain water at a temperature range of 80 to 100°F. for cleaning dishes or other items in remote regions, disaster areasor war zones.

An integrally thermally sealed container may be used to maintain waterat or just below boiling temperature, generally 212° F./100° C. In somesettings, the water may be sterilized. Boiling water may be used forheating and cooking a variety of ready to eat items such as, forexample, beverages including coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and cider, andfoods including dehydrated foods and instant soup, noodles, and oatmeal.As such, the integrally thermally sealed container containing water ator near boiling may be used in an emergency or remote setting, forexample, when the capacity to heat water is unavailable or inconvenient.

An integrally thermally sealed container may be used to maintain anon-edible liquid at a specific temperature to facilitate immediate use.For example, an integrally thermally sealed container may contain readyto use hot mix asphalt maintained within an optimal spreadingtemperature range, generally 280 to 300° F. Hot mix asphalt is routinelyused for large paving projects and is manufactured at a local hot mixasphalt facility and delivered to the paving site already warm and readyto be used. As such, hot mix asphalt maintained at temperature in anintegrally thermally sealed container may be used in those situations inwhich a local hot mix asphalt facility is not available, for exampleafter damage to a road or an airfield in a remote location, disasterarea or war zone. Alternatively, hot mix asphalt maintained attemperature in an integrally thermally sealed container may be used fora patching project or projects requiring immediate attention by a roador airstrip crew. Optionally, an integrally thermally sealed containermay be used to maintain new formulations of asphalt such as, forexample, warm mix asphalt at temperature ranges of 160-180° F.(Suttmeier, Warm mix asphalt: a cooler alternative (2006) MaterialMatters, Spring:21-22, which is herein incorporated by reference).

An integrally thermally sealed container may be used to maintain asolution of deicing material, such as, for example, ethylene glycol,propylene glycol, salt solutions, urea solutions, or a combinationthereof at a temperature appropriate to facilitate removal of ice, snowand/or frost. Propylene glycol is capable of lowering the freezing pointof water to about −60° C. and is a common component of solutions used todeice airplanes, for example. Propylene glycol in combination with waterand additional salts and/or urea is usually sprayed on hot, in the rangeof 150 to 180° F., and at high pressure. A small amount of deicingmaterial, for example 25-50 gallons, may be used on an otherwise dry dayto warm fuel tanks. Alternatively, as much as 1700 gallons of deicingmaterial have been reportedly used per plane during heavy snow fall. Assuch, an integrally thermally sealed container may be configured tocontain, for example, 25-50 gallons of prewarmed deicing material forminimal deicing of a plane. Alternatively, an integrally thermallysealed container may be configured to contain a large capacity (500 to1000 gallons), for example, of prewarmed deicing material.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, otheraspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes ofillustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scopeand spirit being indicated by the following claims.

1. An integrally thermally sealed container, comprising: one or moresegments of a first ultra efficient insulation material, the one or moresegments having one or more surface regions, the one or more segmentsprincipally defining at least one storage region; and one or moreregions of substantially thermally sealed connections between at leastone of the one or more surface regions of the one or more segmentswherein the one or more regions of substantially thermally sealedconnections and the one or more segments form an integrally thermallysealed storage region.
 2. The integrally thermally sealed container ofclaim 1, wherein the container includes no active cooling units.
 3. Theintegrally thermally sealed container of claim 1, wherein the containercontains one or more heat sink units.
 4. The integrally thermally sealedcontainer of claim 1, wherein the container contains no heat sink units.5. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 1, wherein thereare a plurality of storage regions within the container.
 6. Theintegrally thermally sealed container of claim 1, wherein the firstultra efficient insulation material includes: at least onesuperinsulation material.
 7. The integrally thermally sealed containerof claim 1, wherein the first ultra efficient insulation materialincludes: at least one multilayer insulation material.
 8. The integrallythermally sealed container of claim 1, wherein the first ultra efficientinsulation material includes: at least two layers of thermal reflectivematerial separated from each other by magnetic suspension.
 9. Theintegrally thermally sealed container of claim 1, comprising: nontoxiclining within the integrally thermally sealed storage region.
 10. Theintegrally thermally sealed container of claim 1, comprising: at leastone marking indicating a region where the container may be broken opento release stored material within the integrally thermally sealedstorage region.
 11. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim1, comprising: at least one temperature indicator.
 12. The integrallythermally sealed container of claim 1, comprising: one or more sensors.13. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 12, wherein theone or more sensors includes at least one: sensor of a gaseous pressurewithin one or more of the at least one storage region, sensor of a masswithin one or more of the at least one storage region, sensor of astored volume within one or more of the at least one storage region,sensor of a temperature within one or more of the at least one storageregion, or sensor of an identity of an item within one or more of the atleast one storage region.
 14. The integrally thermally sealed containerof claim 1, comprising: one or more communications devices.
 15. Theintegrally thermally sealed container of claim 14, wherein the one ormore communications devices includes at least one: one or more recordingdevices, one or more transmission devices, one or more display devices,or one or more receivers.
 16. An integrally thermally sealed container,comprising: one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulationmaterial, wherein at least one of the one or more segments of the firstultra efficient insulation material substantially define one or moresubstantially thermally sealed storage regions; and at least one of theone or more segments of the first ultra efficient insulation materialpasses entirely around a perimeter of the one or more substantiallythermally sealed storage regions.
 17. The integrally thermally sealedcontainer of claim 16, further comprising: one or more regions ofsubstantially thermally sealed connections between at least two areas ofthe one or more segments of the first ultra efficient insulationmaterial.
 18. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 16,wherein the one or more segments of the first ultra efficient insulationmaterial passes entirely around a circumference of the one or moresubstantially thermally sealed storage regions at least twice.
 19. Theintegrally thermally sealed container of claim 16, wherein the containerincludes no active cooling units.
 20. The integrally thermally sealedcontainer of claim 16, wherein the container contains one or more heatsink units.
 21. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 16,wherein the container contains no heat sink units.
 22. The integrallythermally sealed container of claim 16, wherein the first ultraefficient insulation material includes: at least one superinsulationmaterial.
 23. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 16,wherein the first ultra efficient insulation material includes: at leastone multilayer insulation material.
 24. The integrally thermally sealedcontainer of claim 16, wherein the first ultra efficient insulationmaterial includes: at least two layers of thermal reflective materialseparated from each other by magnetic suspension.
 25. The integrallythermally sealed container of claim 16, comprising: nontoxic liningwithin at least one of the one or more substantially thermally sealedstorage regions.
 26. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim16, comprising: at least one marking indicating a region where thecontainer may be broken open to release stored material within at leastone of the one or more substantially thermally sealed storage regions.27. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 16, comprising:at least one temperature indicator.
 28. The integrally thermally sealedcontainer of claim 16, comprising: one or more sensors.
 29. Theintegrally thermally sealed container of claim 28, wherein the one ormore sensors includes at least one: sensor of gaseous pressure within atleast one of the one or more substantially thermally sealed storageregions, sensor of a mass within at least one of the one or moresubstantially thermally sealed storage regions, sensor of a storedvolume within at least one of the one or more substantially thermallysealed storage regions, sensor of a temperature within at least one ofthe one or more substantially thermally sealed storage regions, orsensor of an identity of an item within at least one of the one or moresubstantially thermally sealed storage regions.
 30. The integrallythermally sealed container of claim 16, comprising: one or morecommunications devices.
 31. The integrally thermally sealed container ofclaim 30, wherein the one or more communications devices includes atleast one: one or more recording devices, one or more transmissiondevices, one or more display devices, or one or more receivers.
 32. Anintegrally thermally sealed container, comprising: one or more segmentsof a first ultra efficient insulation material principally defining atleast one substantially thermally sealed storage region; and at leastone edge seal, including; one or more segments of a second ultraefficient insulation material in proximity to at least one edge of theone or more segments of the first ultra efficient insulation material;and substantially thermally sealed connections between the one or moresegments of the first ultra efficient insulation material and the one ormore segments of the second ultra efficient insulation material.
 33. Theintegrally thermally sealed container of claim 32, wherein the firstultra efficient insulation material is substantially the same as thesecond ultra efficient insulation material.
 34. The integrally thermallysealed container of claim 32, wherein the container includes no activecooling units.
 35. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim32, wherein the container includes no heat sink units.
 36. Theintegrally thermally sealed container of claim 32, wherein thesubstantially thermally sealed connections principally define at leastone substantially thermally sealed storage region.
 37. The integrallythermally sealed container of claim 32, wherein there are a plurality ofstorage regions within the container.
 38. The integrally thermallysealed container of claim 32, wherein the first ultra efficientinsulation material includes: at least one superinsulation material. 39.The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 32, wherein the firstultra efficient insulation material includes: at least one multilayerinsulation material.
 40. The integrally thermally sealed container ofclaim 32, wherein the first ultra efficient insulation materialincludes: at least two layers of thermal reflective material separatedfrom each other by magnetic suspension.
 41. The integrally thermallysealed container of claim 32, comprising: nontoxic lining within one ormore of the at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region.42. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim 32, comprising:at least one marking indicating a region where the container may bebroken open to release stored material within one or more of the atleast one substantially thermally sealed storage region.
 43. Theintegrally thermally sealed container of claim 32, comprising: at leastone temperature indicator.
 44. The integrally thermally sealed containerof claim 32, comprising: one or more sensors.
 45. The integrallythermally sealed container of claim 44, wherein the one or more sensorsincludes at least one: sensor of gaseous pressure within one or more ofthe at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region, sensorof a mass within one or more of the at least one substantially thermallysealed storage region, sensor of a stored volume within one or more ofthe at least one substantially thermally sealed storage region, sensorof a temperature within one or more of the at least one substantiallythermally sealed storage region, or sensor of an identity of an itemwithin one or more of the at least one substantially thermally sealedstorage region.
 46. The integrally thermally sealed container of claim32, comprising: one or more communications devices.
 47. The integrallythermally sealed container of claim 46, wherein the one or morecommunications devices includes at least: one or more recording devices,one or more transmission devices, one or more display devices, or one ormore receivers.